Tag: Commando Senior

Albert Keates, a celebration – first published 28 July 2014

28 July 2014

The glorious sunset that made me smile on my way home from work on Thursday night was Commando Senior’s last. I’d like to think he looked out of his window and smiled at it too. At some point during the night or the early hours of Friday the world became a poorer place. We knew we’d have to let him go but we’d wanted to be there holding his hand as he set off on that final journey. In typical fashion he had other ideas, or Mother Nature did. Continue reading Albert Keates, a celebration – first published 28 July 2014

random musings of a geriatric delinquent – the dancing years – first published 12 September 2014

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Two years have now passed since the sad day we lost Commando Senior. Today it seems fitting that I should republish the last of his memoirs, the one he was working on in those last few days. It’s a terrible shame he didn’t have more time to write about his flying, his days running his engineering business or all the other wonderful things he did like flying on Concord or sailing on the QE2. Maybe it’s fitting that this last memoir should be about something happy and something that made him incredibly happy, his dancing. Continue reading random musings of a geriatric delinquent – the dancing years – first published 12 September 2014

the eagle has landed – first published 23 May 2013

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The last week of May 2013 was a busy one for us. We  had Commando Senior coming to stay to recover from his broken hip. The house was upside down, the bed hadn’t been delivered and I was worried what he’d make of my cooking. Fraught might be the best word to describe things. Continue reading the eagle has landed – first published 23 May 2013

preparing for Commando Senior and the demise of the Bargate Centre – first published 18 May 2013

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Mid May 2013 and, not only did we have a wedding to prepare for, but we had to get the house ready for a guest. Commando Senior was recovering from a broken hip and was going to be staying with us for a while. Logistically it was a bit of a nightmare and I was a little concerned he’d find the hustle and bustle of our house a bit of a culture shock after the peace and quiet of Commando’s sister’s farm. There was also a final walk through the deserted Bargate Centre.

18 May 2013

The day started early after more walking dreams. This time I was walking round London, there were square blue and white markers hidden on walls amongst the road signs, each had a little motto on and I had to find them all. It had a frantic, slightly panicked feeling about it and I woke with a start, almost breathless as if I’d really been powering along the London streets at top speed. It seems like the feet aren’t doing any walking but the brain sure is. How odd. As I was awake it seemed silly not to get up so I did. Continue reading preparing for Commando Senior and the demise of the Bargate Centre – first published 18 May 2013

Commando Senior’s last flight

Micheldever, the Bermuda Triangle of Hampshire - from Geograph.org by Colin Smith
Micheldever, the Bermuda Triangle of Hampshire – from Geograph.org by Colin Smith

27 October 2014

On Monday morning instead of my normal driving lesson we were taking a trip to Micheldever, the Bermuda Triangle of Hampshire. This little village on the northern outskirts of Winchester is the most difficult place on earth to actually find. The number of hours I’ve driven around in circles not finding it doesn’t bear thinking about. Continue reading Commando Senior’s last flight